Dave Singelée

Since September 2025, I'm an associate professor at DistriNet, KU Leuven - campus GroupT.  I'm also a member of the e-Media group at GroupT. My research focuses on the security analysis and secure design of IoT and cyberphysical systems, wireless security, secure localization systems, authentication and key agreement for IoT systems, and the security of medical devices.  More information on my latest research results and publications can be found at the following  DistriNet page or KU Leuven website.

In parallel to my research activities on IoT security and cybersecurity in general, I have a strong interest and experience in industrial valorization. In the past decades, I have created and managed a large portfolio of applied research projects on cybersecurity, IoT security and applied cryptography - bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications. These valorization activities range from bilateral contract research to participation in local (VLAIO) and international (EU) funded research projects in close collaboration with industry.

I always welcome motivated PhD candidates who are eager to advance research in IoT and cybersecurity, as well as companies and research groups interested in exploring collaborative research opportunities. Together, we can help shape the secure systems of tomorrow. 

Short bio

I received my master's degree in Electrical Engineering in 2002 at KU Leuven. My master thesis is titled 'Safe electronic signatures using mobile agents on non-trusted platforms' and was supervised by Prof. Bart Preneel. Next, I started a PhD on the 'Security of Wireless Personal Area Networks' in COSIC under the supervision of Prof. Bart Preneel, and obtained my PhD degree in 2008. After obtaining my PhD, I worked 6 months as an IT-consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers Belgium in the area of Information Protection, before rejoining the research group COSIC in July 2009 as a postdoctoral researcher working on IoT security.  In October 2012, I was promoted to IOF research manager within the research group COSIC. As an IOF research manager, my main task was to coordinate and stimulate collaboration between COSIC and industry: this includes (applied) research projects, bilateral contracts, licenses, spin-offs, etc. Moreover, I was also involved in outlining and implementing the research strategy, coordinating innovation and technology transfer, and participating in valorisation and dissemination activities.  In parallel, I coordinated the mobisec team within COSIC active on mobile and wireless security and applied cryptography.